Taking Chances
Chapter 2
Fanny was currently in her room reading a book or more like trying to read a book. She wasn't able to concentrate enough on the book in front of her in order to claim that she was actually reading it. Every few lines her mind kept wandering off to what happened just moments ago. Mr. Crawford had asked to marry her and she had actually said yes. She didn't know what possessed her to accept his proposal but she really couldn't find the heart to regret her decision. He had seen something no one else had. He had seen her as a woman he desired to be his wife and mother of his children. He was now with her uncle, asking permission for her hand in marriage. Her uncle would probably be happy about the match. Mr. Crawford has an estate worth about four thousand pounds a year and her only real worth is that she is Sir Thomas Bertram's niece. In the eyes of society it was a very advantageous match for her. Her aunt Norris on the other hand would probably disapprove. She had planned to match Mr. Crawford with her cousin Julia and she never hid her dislike for her. Her thoughts were interrupted when someone knocked the door.
"Come in." she answered and her uncle stepped into the room.
"Fanny, Mr. Crawford came to me with some interesting news. Am I to understand that he asked to marry you and you have accepted?"
"Yes, sir."
"I have given him my consent. He is a man with everything to recommend him. I have no reason to decline his request. The marriage will take place in two months. I wish that you both will find happiness in this match."
"I thank you sir."
"Now onto another matter. I have decided to invite your sister Susan to come live in Mansfield. With Maria and Julia gone and you leaving soon, I fear that your aunt will be lonely. I also hope that you would appreciate your sister being here for your marriage."
Indeed Fanny appreciated it more than she could express. Susan was the sister she had been closer to before she left Portsmouth. She really hoped that she would be able to reconnect with her sister. "Indeed sir. I appreciate it very much."
"If she decides to accept the invitation she'll be here next Monday" he said and left. Fanny went to the window and looked outside. As she gazed out of the window she spotted Henry's figure (it would take some time to get used to calling him that) riding away from Mansfield Park. She couldn't help but smile. Just thinking about his smile when she said yes made her all warm inside. Maybe she was already falling in love with him. She just hoped that she would never regret letting herself fall in love with him.
End of chapter 2 –to be continued
Author's note
Fanny's stay in Portsmouth and Susan was one of the things that were missing from the 2007 movie. I really wanted to put at least Susan in my story (I couldn't come up with a way to put the Portsmouth stay in) so it might seem a little out of place in the timeline but that was the best I could come up with.
I try to stick with canon in some way but as can be expected Fanny's and Henry's engagement puts in motion different events and from some point on I will be unable to follow the canon plot.
Disclaimer: I don't own Mansfield Park or any of its characters.